( Chapter unfolds:37)
After Nobaya left, Izuma sat there, lost in deep thought.
"Nobaya is right," Izuma thought to himself. "I only know what the inner power is. But I haven't thought about why it chose me or how to truly awaken it. Until now, I've only been using the techniques I learned through training. Beyond that, I haven't explored what truly lies within the 'Shadow Kiri'."
He knew he had to awaken the power within him at any cost. To do that, he needed help. He stood up and went straight to Nobaya.
Nobaya was busy writing something.
"Nobaya," Izuma called from behind.
Nobaya stopped writing and turned around.
"You were right. First, I need to know about the power that chose me. Only then can I awaken it. I need your help for that."
Nobaya looked at Izuma for a moment. He understood exactly what kind of help Izuma was seeking from him.
(A little later)
Nobaya led Izuma to another room. It was filled with many records and manuscripts kept in storage.
"Here??" Izuma asked.
"The answer to the help you need is here, Izuma."
Nobaya took out a bundle of ancient, weathered papers from a chest. He held it out toward Izuma. The papers were extremely old and brittle.
"This is..." Izuma looked at it, confused.
"Everything you need is in this, Izuma."
After handing it over, Nobaya stepped out of the room.
Izuma didn't understand it at first. He placed the bundle of papers on a table and slowly began to open the pages, one by one.
**
On the other side, Sai was not asleep. He got out of bed, finding himself alone in the room. No one else was there.
Slowly, Sai stepped outside. Even though walking was difficult and painful, he managed to limp forward. The house was silent. He eventually reached the front of Nobaya's room and peered through the partially open door.
Nobaya was still there, busy writing something.
"Doesn't this man ever sleep?" Sai muttered to himself.
As Sai gently closed the door and turned around
"What business do you have here instead of resting, Sai?!"
Sai froze in shock. As he slowly turned
"Didn't you hear what I asked?!!!"
There he was, standing right behind him.
"Aishhhhh!"
Startled out of his wits, Sai lost his balance and fell backward.
"Awww... Nobaya, what is wrong with you?" Sai snapped, glaring at Nobaya from the floor.
"What are you doing here at this hour?"
Sai didn't say anything for a moment, then pulled himself up. "I've been lying down for so long... just wanted to walk a bit."
"With that leg?" Nobaya glanced down at the injury. "Come inside."
Nobaya called him into the room and made him sit. He knew exactly what was bothering Sai the frustration of being unable to unleash his power and the sting of their defeat.
"I have something kept here for you," Nobaya said, rummaging through a cupboard in the room.
"What is it?" Sai asked.
"Well, consider it a gift for falling down so much," Nobaya joked.
"Nobaya...!" Sai huffed in annoyance.
"Found it."
Nobaya pulled out a bundle of papers, very similar to the one he had given Izuma. Sai looked at it, completely confused.
"What is this...?"
Nobaya handed it to him. "You will find this useful."
Sai held the bundle, having no idea what it contained or how it was supposed to help him.
"You may go now," Nobaya said, signaling him to head back.
After Sai left, Nobaya went to check on Jinso. He was fast asleep. Nobaya stood there for a moment, watching him. Even in the dim light, the glow on the sword beside Jinso hadn't faded.
Just as he had done for the other two, Nobaya placed a bundle of papers near Jinso. There was something within those pages meant to guide each of them.
With that, Nobaya walked away.